Hey guys, I have a question. How's the component video input compared to the HDMI in clarity?

 

I see no difference what so ever and as of now, they are both pretty much the same (only ones caries digital audio where as you would need to use an Optical Audio for component)

 

component and HDMI are basically equivalent.

my HD player has 12bit 297Mhz DACs and I actually think the component video output is better than the HDMI!

Just because HDMI is digital does not make it good. The HDMI peeps cheaped out on a lot of the error detection and resolution processes and there are some downright aweful HDMI implementations.

Since HDMI uses 28AWG conductors, the longest you can really go without spending mega-bucks is 15 feet or so. Any longer than that and you should go Component

 

both formats have a market and both are growing.

You're looking at a good 2 years, and that's IF one wins. With combo players coming out which will soon be about the same price as single format players (eventually) both formats will be with us, much like DVD+R and DVD-R.

So, go ahead and wait and make due with blurry 0.3MP DVDs. I'll be the one chilling with 2.0MP HD-DVD and Blu-Ray movies.

 

I read an interesting article the other day. It said that 300 sold more on regular DVD in the first week than all Blu Ray and HD DVD discs combined since they went on sale.

Doesn't look like SD DVD is going away anytime soon either..

 

Obviously not, most people are still holding out to see who wins.

as steven said, it will probably be something like how DVD+R and DVD-R are now when the "war" is over.

 

Wow! Didn't know component video was as good as HDMI since it's such an old technology, relatively.

Ok, ok, here's another one: how does S-video stack up to the other two?

 

I only bought two HD DVDs and one bluray disc. There aren't many titles to choose from anyways.

 

not well.

S-Video is limited to 480i anyway. S-Video is an upgrade over composite and has luminance (the detail) and color (AKA Y-C) broken out.

Component steps over S-Video because it has Luminance and TWO color differential signals instead of one. Also the conductors are usually higher guage and are on their own cable, usually shielded. Component has the bandwidth to carry 1080p. This is not an accepted standard, but is implemented in some devices.

I didn't want to make you think Component IS better than HDMI. I'm saying it CAN be. Good video DACs and good cabling with component will almost certainly equal HDMI and eclipse most HDMI implementations ESPECIALLY at longer distances. HDMI can be done well, though, too.

One thing with HDMI is you really don't need a mega-buck cable as the signal is digital. You only need to spend money if you are going a long distance. The mega-buck mega-long HDMI implementations require excellent cabling as well as repeaters...this is way beyond the $200 Monsters Best Buy sells. For a standard 2M run, any HDMI cable will likely do provided it is not defective. Component is another story; good cables are very important.

 

most just don't care IMO. Most buy an HDTV, connect it via coax or (maybe) composite video, tune into the SD channel and think it's HD.

doing a dual format player, from a production perspective, doesn't have much of an incremental cost over a single player. They both use the same laser, and the movies on both formats are encoded the same way. It's not like VHS vs Beta as doing a combo player back then would be very expensive as they would have two totally different sets of mechanicals and the like.

Right now, HD-DVD has the features; Blu-Ray is looking at a good year until they reach parity here (and older players won't support the new features). Blu-Ray has the (potentially) better image as the max bitrate is higher. In reality, the best of both formats are very, very close.